Govt rolls back POL price hike

Gilani announces decision in National Assembly

Parliamentary leaders taken on board; Opposition hails decision

Special Correspondent/ Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday announced restoration of prices of POL products to the level of December 31, last year and withdrew the latest increase announced by the government. Making a policy statement on the issue in the National Assembly, he said the decision has been taken in deference to the demand of the public, parliament and the political leadership.

He said the decision was arrived at the meeting of leaders of all parliamentary parties in Islamabad where they were briefed by the Finance Minister and other members of the government’s economic team on the petroleum prices and the overall economic situation. Prime Minister said there was consensus in the meeting that the latest increase should be withdrawn.

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US terms Taseer death a big loss

Pak must make efforts to root out extremism

WASHINGTON: Terming the slaying of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer as a loss for Pakistan, the US has said the country has to make efforts to root out extremism and bring greater peace and stability. “This is an individual who had worked hard to promote tolerance, and his loss is a great one for Pakistan,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, said.

“We remain committed to the efforts that the Pakistani government is and must undertake to root out violent extremism and to bring greater peace and stability to that country and to that region of the world,” he said.
Gibbs was responding to questions about the assassination, which is said to be a reflection of violent extremism in the country.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Cannon, the Canadian Foreign Minister, in a statement also expressed his condolences to the people of Pakistan on the assassination of Taseer.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Governor Salman Taseer, and to the Pakistani people, in the wake of his vicious and cowardly assassination,” Cannon said.
“His death is a loss to the people of Pakistan and all those who shared his commitment to the promotion of tolerance and legal reforms in that country,” he said. -Online

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Posted in: assassination,country,death,extremism,Governor,Governor Salman Taseer,loss,Pakistan,Pakistani,Salman Taseer,US,White House

Murder raises brows over security

ISLAMABAD: After the assassination of Punjab Governor, Salman Taseer in the hands of his own personal security guard, military and security personnel have been overcome with deep apprehensions and concerns regarding maintaining any fool-proof security for the governmental officials. The murder of Salman Taseer on Tuesday afternoon has once again created worries among security and even Army personnel as to how to ensure a secure protocol for governmental officials.

Sources informed that officials are mulling and wondering besides investigating as to how the security guard responsible for assassination of Governor, ever made it to the elite police circles, and also as to how was he appointed over close security of Governor, while ignoring SOP (standard operative procedures). Sources have also informed that before appointing elite guards for VIP personnel, they have to undergo a massive check system, which also included complete scrutiny of their background. After this assassination, the security and Army personnel have decided to review the security procedures anew, for which a formal approval would be taken in a high level meeting to be held soon. -Online

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Musharraf grieves over assassination

ABU DHABI: Chief of All Pakistan Muslim League, (APML) Pervez Musharraf while expressing grief over the assassination of Governor Punjab, Salman Taseer has said that this was not only loss of the PPP but the whole country. According to a statement issued from the Abu Dhabi Secretariat, former President Pervez Musharraf was of the view that it is the loss for the whole country. He was a seasoned politician and always worked for betterment of the country, he added.

Musharraf further said that it seemed that the current government has failed to cope with terrorism from the country. He also expressed grief and sorrow with the family of Salman Taseer.

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